ESN Zlin

What ESN Zlin does

ESN Zlin (legal name: Erasmus Student Network Zlin, z.s., IČO: 07006811) is a non-profit student interest association registered in the Czech Republic and based at Tomas Bata University in Zlín. It operates as a local section within the three-tier Erasmus Student Network structure — sitting beneath ESN Czech Republic nationally and ESN AISBL (based in Brussels) internationally, an umbrella that spans more than 40 countries and 500+ Higher Education Institutions. The organization is governed by an eight-member elected board and staffed entirely by student volunteers (7 stated personnel), with no fixed office hours.

Its core service is the Fiesta Buddy System, a web platform (esnzlin.fiesta.plus) where international students create profiles, request buddies, and are paired with local Czech students who provide settling-in support, university guidance, cultural orientation, and city-level introductions. The organization also sells the ESNcard at 400 CZK (cash only) from its campus office (U3 building, Room 202), which provides discounts at a curated set of local Zlín partners — including Legends Gym, Infinity Bar, Gotcha Bubble Tea, Laskavárna Pod Kaštany, Nový Svět, and Fog Lounge — as well as across the broader European ESN network. Additional services include practical information guides (covering accommodation, transport, banking, healthcare, and cultural tips), organized trips and events, a WhatsApp community for real-time coordination, and free Vodafone SIM cards for incoming international students.

The business model is community-led and essentially non-commercial: ESN Zlin does not disclose revenue, has no external investors or funding rounds, and its only monetized line is ESNcard sales. Reach is driven by word-of-mouth across the international student community at Tomas Bata University, supported by WhatsApp groups, Instagram, LinkedIn, and a Linktree hub. Strategic partners include Tomas Bata University (which provides institutional backing and office space), ESN Czech Republic, ESN International, and Vodafone Czech Republic.

Name

ESN Zlin

Legal name

Erasmus Student Network Zlin, z.s.

Website

https://esnzlin.utb.cz

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ESN Zlin is a volunteer-run, non-profit local section of the Erasmus Student Network based at Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Czech Republic. It supports international and exchange students through the Fiesta Buddy System, the ESNcard discount program, events, and practical integration resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Student Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Telecommunications Resellers and Agents for Wireless Telecommunication Services (51712)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

SIM/eSIM, Mobile Connectivity & Student Tech Setup (EDAIANAG)

Keywords

• International student support
• Erasmus student network
• Student buddy matching
• Student discount card
• Exchange student services

Headquarters

HQ city

Zlín

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. ESNcard Sales: ESN Zlin sells ESNcards at 400 CZK (cash only) to international and local students. The card provides discounts and benefits at partner locations across Zlín, the Czech Republic, and all over Europe.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ESN Zlin is a student volunteer-run non-profit that supports Erasmus and international students at Tomas Bata University in Zlín through a one-on-one buddy matching service (Fiesta platform), organized social events and trips, practical settling-in guides, and the sale of the ESNcard discount card (400 CZK) accepted by partner locations across Zlín, the Czech Republic, and Europe.

Product overview

ESN Zlin is a student volunteer organization at Tomas Bata University, not a technology product company. It operates primarily as a support and social network for international students through several service offerings. The core service is the Fiesta Buddy System, a web-based platform that facilitates one-on-one pairing between international students and local buddies to help newcomers integrate into Zlin. Additionally, the organization provides the ESNcard, an international student discount card offering benefits at partner locations across Europe. The organization also offers practical resources and guides covering accommodation, university life, transportation, cultural tips, and free time activities, all accessible through their website esnzlin.utb.cz. These services are provided free of charge to international students and are supported by student volunteers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fiesta Buddy System Online pairing platform where international students at Tomas Bata University create profiles, request membership with ESN Zlin, and get matched with local student buddies who provide settling-in support, university guidance, city tours, and cultural introduction via in-platform chat.
• ESNcard Discount card sold to international and local students at the ESN Zlin office for 400 CZK (cash only). Provides discounts at partner locations across Zlín, the Czech Republic, and Europe once activated on esncard.org.
• Social Events and Trips Programme Calendar of community events, trips, and Welcome Week activities organised by ESN Zlin for international and exchange students at Tomas Bata University to support social integration.
• Practical Guides for International Students Online content resources published on the ESN Zlin website covering accommodation, university administration, transport, healthcare, banking, local bars, shopping, free time activities, and cultural tips for international students arriving in Zlín.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ESN Czech Republic (ESN CZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational-level non-profit organization that unites ESN local sections across the Czech Republic. ESN Zlin operates as a local section under ESN Czech Republic, sharing resources, standards, and the national ESNcard network.
• ESN International (ESN AISBL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational umbrella organization based in Brussels that coordinates the Erasmus Student Network across 40+ countries and 500+ Higher Education Institutions. Sets global standards and provides the ESNcard framework used by all national sections including ESN Zlin.
• Laskavárna Pod KaštanyminorOthersCozy café under chestnut trees in Zlín serving specialty coffee, homemade desserts, and local products. ESNcard holders receive a discount on coffee and matcha. Located at tř. Tomáše Bati, 760 01 Zlín 1.
• Legends GymminorOthersThe most modern fitness center in Zlín with a wide range of equipment. ESNcard holders receive a free entry coupon in their welcome pack and discounts on 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month permanent tickets. Located at Vavrečkova 1/44, 760 01 Zlín 1.
• Infinity BarminorOthersPopular nightlife spot among students in Zlín offering cocktails and parties with Erasmus vibes. ESNcard holders receive a discount. Located at tř. Tomáše Bati 4008, 760 01 Zlín 1.
• Gotcha Bubble TeaminorOthersCozy bubble tea spot in the heart of Zlín. ESNcard holders receive a discount on all drinks. Located at nám. Míru 66, 760 01 Zlín 1.
• Nový SvětminorOthersPopular pub in Zlín with a wide selection of beers, board games, and sports broadcasts. ESNcard holders receive a discount on their order. Located at Dlouhá 4310, 760 01 Zlín 1.
• Fog LoungeminorOthersUnderground hookah bar in the center of Zlín with a relaxing atmosphere, cocktails, and a variety of drinks. ESNcard holders receive a discount. Located at nám. Míru 176, 760 01 Zlín 1.
• Vodafone Czech RepublicminorOthersVodafone is a national partner of ESN Czech Republic, offering free SIM cards with precharged data to ESN members and international students through the ESN Zlin office.
• Tomas Bata University (UTB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESN Zlin is based at Tomas Bata University in Zlín and directly supports the university's international student population across its six faculties. The university provides office space and institutional backing for the student organization.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ESN International (Erasmus Student Network AISBL): International umbrella based in Brussels coordinating ESN across 40+ countries and 500+ HEIs. The parent network of ESN Zlin and the broader franchise operator of the ESNcard and standards framework.

Direct peers

• EESTEC (Electrical Engineering Students' European Association): European student organization for electrical engineering and computer science students with local committees at universities. Comparable as a volunteer-led student mobility network operating across European universities.
• Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association: Official alumni association for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master and Doctorate students, supporting international student community across Europe. Comparable in mission (Erasmus-related international student support) and community-driven model.
• ELSA (European Law Students' Association): Largest international law students' association, operating across 40+ countries with local chapters at universities. Comparable in volunteer-driven local-chapter model, international student networking, and pan-European brand framework.
• AIESEC: Global youth-led organization facilitating international student exchanges, internships, and cultural programs. Comparable peer along mission (international student mobility), volunteer-led delivery model, and chapter-based structure.
• BEST (Board of European Students of Technology): European student organization at technical universities offering academic competitions, training, and mobility events. Comparable as a Europe-wide volunteer-led student network operating through local boards at member universities.
• ESN Czech Republic: National umbrella organization that unites ESN local sections across the Czech Republic. ESN Zlin operates as a local section under ESN CZ, making it the most structurally comparable peer at the national level.
• IAESTE: International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience, operating student work placements across 80+ countries. Comparable in international student mobility focus and national-committee + local-section structure.

Emerging players

• Studyportals: Global online study choice platform connecting prospective international students with universities and programs. Comparable in serving international students searching for study abroad opportunities, though as a digital marketplace rather than an on-ground support network.

Others

• Dům zahraniční spolupráce (Czech National Agency for International Education): Czech national agency administering the Erasmus+ program in the Czech Republic. Comparable as an institutional stakeholder in the same international-student ecosystem, though operating as a government agency rather than a peer student organization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esn-zlin
• Instagraminstagram.com/esnzlin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ESN Zlin